Well, this was rather unexpected. As it turns out, Commodore USA's CEO Barry Altman isn't particularly pleased about the article I wrote earlier today in which I placed a considerable amount of scepticism with regards to Commodore USA and its business (and website). He (not his lawyer) sent us a threatening email demanding we take down the article, post a new correction article, the whole shebang. The entire email - as an image, you'll want the original formatting - after the break. Our reply? We refer you to the reply given in the case of Arkell v. Pressdram.

You have no idea of what our plans are. Our situation. Nothing. You do realise we're going to sell our machines in stores don't you?

how would we know that? you just stated we know nothing of your plans.

What happened with Thom is regrettable, but it only shows how callous people can be before they know the real story, or even bother to find out. Maybe it's a very Australian thing for me, to believe in giving people a fair go. To not rush to judgment, especially based on the lack of polish of a website, for Pete's sake.

it's not an issue of a lack of polish, leo. let's get that cleared up right now. yes, the site looks horrible, but that is not what bothers people. let's talk about what does:

* what bothers people is stealing graphic works, airbrushing out the copyright notice, and posting it.

* what bothers people is using trademarks before securing a license to them when fair-use is obviously not an issue.

* what bothers people is lifting product images from google images -- images which do not reflect planned products.

* what bothers people is lifting, word-for-word text from other websites (such as ubuntu) without even a hat tip.

* what bothers people is suggesting mac os x might run on your products which would suggest people violate apple's EULA -- which is illegal.

We are not asking anyone for a kidney... or indeed anything at this point. The kind of criticism we are receiving is unjustified and in many cases borders on insanity.....it's rather amusing to watch actually.
Without the Commodore name you wouldn't care less about whatever it is you perceive to be our foibles.

no, what you're asking is for people to treat you seriously after your 'CEO' conducts business like a fifteen-year-old child. are you even paying attention? let me try and make this clearer:

your 'CEO' threatened an editor of a computing enthusiast site because he expressed an opinion. a well-founded opinion, IMO. and he did so COPYING A THREAT WORD FOR WORD FROM A RANDOM LEGAL SITE ON THE WEB!! he can't even write his own childish threat for goodness sakes.

It's a pity things cannot emerge fully realised from day one, but that is not the way things work. Rome was not built in a day.

obviously startups have growing pains. but they at least figure out their basic product plan, marketing strategy, and legal restrictions prior to announcing so they don't look foolish. and then when someone sees a constant stream of unprofessional behavior, draws a conclusion, and expresses an opinion, they try to see that as criticism and address it appropriately. not threaten to sue. not threaten to sue with a plagiarized form letter.

when you and barry have something in hand, then, and only then, should you announce it. after your infrastructure is in place. until then, quit calling yourselves CEOs and CTOs and talking about lawyers and PR people you don't have. you're operating out of barry's house. get grounded. come back. and then you can ask for respect. not before.